Suicidal Ideation Among Adolescents Following Natural Disaster: The Role of Prior Interpersonal Violence

Abstract

Objective: The current study examined variables, including prior traumatic events, disaster exposure, and current mental health symptomatology, associated with suicidal ideation following experience of a natural disaster. Method: Utilizing a sample of 2,000 adolescents exposed to the spring 2011 tornadoes in the areas surrounding Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Joplin, Missouri, we hypothesized that prior interpersonal violence (IPV), more so than other prior traumatic events or other symptoms, would be associated with suicidal ideation after the disaster. Results: Suicidal ideation was reported by approximately 5% of the sample. Results of binary logistic regression were consistent with hypotheses in that prior IPV exposure emerged as the variable most robustly related to presence of postdisaster suicidal ideation, even accounting for current symptoms (i.e., posttraumatic stress disorder and depression). Moreover, neither prior accident nor prior natural disaster exposure was significantly associated with postdisaster suicidal ideation, suggesting that something specific to IPV may be conferring risk for suicidality. No other variables, including disaster exposure variables or demographic characteristics, emerged as significantly related. Conclusions: Our results suggest that individuals who have a history of IPV may be particularly vulnerable following experience of additional traumatic events and that for suicide risk, the experience of prior IPV may be more relevant to consider in the aftermath of natural disasters beyond variables related to the index trauma or current symptomatology.